The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #163321   Message #3896049
Posted By: Jack Campin
27-Dec-17 - 05:35 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: ding dong merrily revisited
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: ding dong merrily revisited
I think Arbeau is the earliest source - "Bransle l'Official".

It got a very un-Christmassy use in Scotland, as "The Celebrated Trumpet Tune", the fanfare played by two trumpeters when a circuit judge pronounced a death sentence. Yes judges really did travel round the country from trial to trial with a retinue including two trumpeters.